What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Tocopherol
AntioxidantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlucose
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Tocopherol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Madecassoside, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Arginine, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum